Sheffield United: Blades accept Maguire bid

Sheffield United’s managing director Mal Brannigan has today confirmed the League One club have “reluctantly accepted” Hull City’s offer for Harry Maguire.

United have turned down bids worth an initial £1.5 million and £2m from the Tigers for the England Under-21 international, a graduate of their youth system.

But Brannigan has revealed the Premier League outfit have met the Blades’ valuation for the centre-back, who has now been granted permission to speak to the FA Cup finalists.

He said: “We made it clear that we wanted Harry to stay by offering him a new contract at the end of last season, unfortunately he and his representatives chose a different path.

“However, as he is under contract at Bramall Lane, we exercised our right to set our own valuation of him and after numerous bids which did not meet our expectations, Hull City increased their offer and we have reluctantly accepted.

“As we have previously stated, Sheffield United are not under pressure to sell our players but on this occasion it was deemed the best for all parties and now we move on with the aim of assisting Nigel Clough to strengthen his squad.”

The situation took another twist when Hull placed this posting on their website: “Sheffield United rejected an offer from the Club five days (Wednesday) ago for Harry Maguire. This was the Club’s final offer and we have since entered into discussions with other transfer targets.

In light of Sheffield United’s statement this morning the board will meet with manager Steve Bruce this afternoon to determine whether we now wish to pursue the transfer after the South Yorkshire club’s apparent U-turn.”